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bed and dose him if necessary. Ian put that concern aside and turned again to Joanna. |
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"I am sorry I spoke so sharply to you, love," he said gently. "It hurt me that you should think I would do anything that would displease your father." |
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A horrid qualm passed through Ian. He did not really believe that it would please Simon that Alinor should lie under him in the marriage bed. Yet there is no other way, he told himself; there is no other way to be sure she will be safe. |
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"I must keep you safe," he said aloud to Joanna. "I owed your father a deep debt of love, and I can best repay it by keeping you and your mother and Adam under my protection. When she has time, your mother will explain to you why this is needful. A little you must know already in that you heard me say I must go with Beorn to search for the reavers. But, Joanna, you are old enough to know better than to speak of such things while the squires are in attendance." |
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"I am sorry. I was so" She stopped and struggled to find a safe word, "surprised." She seemed almost reconciled. She had always adored Ian, but he seemed so different when he spoke to Adam. And there was something else that troubled her. She needed time to think. "Is Geoffrey ill?" she asked. |
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"I hope not," Ian replied, as glad as Joanna to leave the subject of his new relationship with Simon's wife and daughter, "but even if he is, your mother will make him well, I am sure. I hope Geoffrey and Owain have been pleasant guests?" |
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"Oh, yes, but Owain said I am 'just a girl.' That is neither nice nor true. Some day I will be the Lady of Roselynde. That is not 'just a girl.'" |
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"No, indeed," Ian said in a slightly constricted voice. "I will speak to Owain. He will not be so discourteous again." |
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"You need not," Joanna replied loftily. "I have spoken to himand Geoffrey did, too." |
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